
Discover · Investigate · Explain · Ages 11–16
IB MYP Physics
Build a physics idea. Test it with evidence. Explain what you discover.
Selected topic MYP-01.01: SI units, prefixes, and measurement
MYP Topic MYP-01.01
SI units, prefixes, and measurement
Years 1–2 · Suggested
Criterion A foundation: choose appropriate quantities, instruments, units, and prefixes.

Choose your next step
A measurement needs both a number and a unit. The unit tells someone else what was measured, while a sensible instrument and scale help make the number useful.
Try to explain…Choose a suitable measuring instrument, read its scale and convert a length into metres without changing the physical distance.
Work through an example Think first, then reveal
A strip of card begins at the 4.0 cm mark of a ruler and ends at 36.0 cm. Find its length in centimetres and metres. Use 100 cm = 1 m.
Reveal the reasoning and answer
- Subtract the starting reading: length = 36.0 − 4.0 = 32.0 cm. The final scale reading alone is not the length.
- Convert centimetres to metres by dividing by 100: 32.0 / 100 = 0.320 m. Keep the unit beside the number.
The strip is 32.0 cm long, or 0.320 m.
An original learning starter, not an assessed task. Your teacher can adapt the depth and choose further practice.
Open the mapped resource
Criterion A foundation: choose appropriate quantities, instruments, units, and prefixes.
Open lesson →Extra challenging questions
Connect several ideas, explore supplied data, and compare your reasoning with a worked solution.
Your own reflection · saved on this device for the all-years view
Pathway notes & suggested depth
These original starters support learning; they do not establish complete coverage of an IB syllabus.
Year ranges are flexible suggestions, not a fixed IB syllabus. Adapt depth and sequence with your teacher.
Scientific inquiry and measurement are included here as foundations used throughout every visual group; all original inquiry topics remain available.
Teaching & practice library Presentations, questions and original papers →
Complete MYP topic directory 20 chapters · 105 mapped topics →
01. Scientific inquiry and measurement
- MYP-01.01SI units, prefixes, and measurementYears 1–2 · Suggested
- MYP-01.02Accuracy, precision, and uncertaintyYears 2–3 · Suggested
- MYP-01.03Variables and fair-test motion designYears 1–2 · Suggested
- MYP-01.04Tables, graphs, and pattern findingYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-01.05Evaluation and evidence-based improvementYears 4–5 · Suggested
02. Motion
- MYP-02.01Scalar and vector descriptionsYears 1–2 · Suggested
- MYP-02.02Distance, displacement, speed, and velocityYears 1–2 · Suggested
- MYP-02.03Acceleration and motion graphsYears 2–3 · Suggested
- MYP-02.04Two-dimensional and projectile motionYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-02.05Motion problem studioYears 4–5 · Suggested
03. Forces
04. Momentum
05. Work, energy and power
06. Matter, density, and materials
- MYP-06.01Mass, volume, and material samplesYears 1–2 · Suggested
- MYP-06.02Density as a material propertyYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-06.03Particle model and states of matterYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-06.04Hooke's law and elastic responseYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-06.05Stress, strain, and material choiceYears 4–5 · Suggested
07. Thermal physics
- MYP-07.01Temperature and internal energyYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-07.02Specific heat and latent heatYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-07.03Conduction, convection, and radiationYears 1–4 · Suggested
- MYP-07.04Gas laws and absolute temperatureYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-07.05Thermal-data problem studioYears 4–5 · Suggested
08. Pressure and fluids
- MYP-08.01Pressure in solid contactYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-08.02Pressure with depth in fluidsYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-08.03Atmospheric pressure and manometersYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-08.04Buoyancy and Archimedes' principleYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-08.05Fluid-pressure problem studioYears 4–5 · Suggested
09. Waves
- MYP-09.01Wave quantities and representationsYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-09.02Superposition and interferenceYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-09.03Stationary waves, nodes, and antinodesYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-09.04Diffraction and grating evidenceYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-09.05Two-source interference investigationYears 3–5 · Suggested
10. Sound and oscillation
11. Light and optics
12. Electromagnetic spectrum
- MYP-12.01Electromagnetic spectrum and shared speedYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-12.02Wave and photon models of lightYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-12.03Colour, spectra, and dispersionYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-12.04Polarisation as transverse-wave evidenceYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-12.05X-ray imaging: benefit and exposureYears 4–5 · Suggested
13. Electricity
- MYP-13.01Static charge, conductors, and insulatorsYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-13.02Current as rate of charge flowYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-13.03Voltage as energy per chargeYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-13.04Circuit diagrams, symbols, and metersYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-13.05Resistance and Ohm's lawYears 2–5 · Suggested
- MYP-13.06Non-ohmic components and sensorsYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-13.07Series and parallel circuitsYears 2–5 · Suggested
- MYP-13.08Electrical power and energyYears 3–5 · Suggested
14. Magnetism and electromagnetism
- MYP-14.01Magnets and magnetic-field mapsYears 1–3 · Suggested
- MYP-14.02Current-produced magnetic fieldsYears 2–4 · Suggested
- MYP-14.03Force on a current-carrying conductorYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-14.04Electromagnetic inductionYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-14.05Generators, transformers, and gridsYears 4–5 · Suggested
15. Fields and gravity
- MYP-15.01Universal gravitationYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-15.02Electric field lines and directionYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-15.03Electric field strength and forceYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-15.04Point-charge field patternsYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-15.05Circular motion and orbital systemsYears 3–5 · Suggested
16. Space physics
17. Atomic and nuclear physics
- MYP-17.01Atomic energy levels and spectraYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-17.02Radioactive decay and detectionYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-17.03Half-life from tables and graphsYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-17.04Nuclear reactions and conservationYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-17.05Fission, chain reactions, and reactorsYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-17.06Nuclear safety and wasteYears 4–5 · Suggested
18. Climate and energy systems
- MYP-18.01Planetary energy balance and the greenhouse effectYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-18.02Energy resources and trade-offsYears 2–5 · Suggested
- MYP-18.03Energy-resource decision studioYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-18.04First law and gas processesYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-18.05Heat engines and efficiency limitsYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-18.06Entropy and direction of changeYear 5 · Suggested extension
19. Physics in society
- MYP-19.01Electrostatic applications and riskYears 3–5 · Suggested
- MYP-19.02Electrical safety in homesYears 2–5 · Suggested
- MYP-19.03The motor effect in technologyYears 2–5 · Suggested
- MYP-19.04Nuclear medicine and patient benefitYears 4–5 · Suggested
- MYP-19.05Ultrasound imaging and accessYears 3–5 · Suggested
20. Independent assessment practice
- MYP-20.01Force-model unfamiliar-context practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
- MYP-20.02Energy extended-response practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
- MYP-20.03Wave data-rich practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
- MYP-20.04Circuit evidence practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
- MYP-20.05Radioactivity evaluation practiceYears 4–5 · Independent practice
Framework & official guidance Suggested pathway, not a fixed syllabus →
A flexible route through Middle Years Programme sciences
A suggested GioPhysics pathway, not a prescribed IB Physics syllabus. Schools may reorder, combine or extend topics. Year filters use the existing suggested ranges and do not limit what a school may teach.
The eight visual groups help you browse; the original 20-chapter sequence remains available above and in the school planning pathway. Inquiry, measurement and evidence run through every group. Teachers choose suitable depth and use the applicable year-specific assessment descriptors.
- Official MYP sciences subject brief (PDF) ↗
- Official MYP curriculum framework ↗
- GioPhysics MYP school pathway →
GioPhysics is independently developed and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Our questions, practice papers and project prompts are original teaching resources, not official IB papers or assessed student exemplars.